I confess that two young relatives have declared that they loved me.
The first was a step-cousin I met only at the funeral of my grandfather. She took a shine to me and insisted that we always hold hands and that she always sit on my lap. Her grandfather asked if I had a girlfriend, and upon my negative response he stated that I did now.
The second was a step-cousin I met when visiting a blood relative. She declared to everyone while we were eating dinner that she liked me and that I reminded her of her father. Her grandfather nodded with approval.
I loved them, too. I loved them enough not to do anything to hurt them.
